Systems and methods for response vehicle pump control

ABSTRACT

A response vehicle includes an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a pumping system operatively engaged with the transmission and thereby configured to at least selectively receive mechanical energy generated by the engine via the transmission, and a central controller communicably coupled to the engine, transmission, and pumping system. The pumping system has an input configured to interface with a water source and receive an inlet flow of water. The central controller is configured to receive an indication regarding the pressure of the water at the input of the pumping system, and transmit a control signal to the transmission to change an effective gear ratio of the transmission while the transmission is operably coupled to the pumping system based on the received indication regarding the pressure of the water at the input of the pumping system.

BACKGROUND

Traditional pump control systems in response vehicles provide little byway of flexibility. For example, traditional systems may maintain anoverall output pressure of the pumping system at a constant level, butprovide little to no control of the output pressure of fluid emittedtowards an area of interest. Additionally, traditional pump controlsystems allow for little to no adjustment based on the intake pressureof the pump from a fluid source. Such constraints place limitations onresponse vehicle performance.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a response vehicle. The vehicle includes atransmission coupled to the engine, a pumping system operatively engagedwith the transmission and thereby configured to at least selectivelyreceive mechanical energy generated by the engine via the transmission,and a central controller communicably coupled to the engine,transmission, and pumping system. The pumping system has an inputconfigured to interface with a water source and receive an inlet flow ofwater. The central control system is configured to receive an indicationregarding the pressure of the water at the input of the pumping system.The central controller is also configured to transmit a control signalto the transmission to change an effective gear ratio of thetransmission while the transmission is operably coupled to the pumpingsystem based on the received indication regarding the pressure of thewater at the input of the pumping system.

Another embodiment relates to a central controller for a responsevehicle. The central controller includes a first input configured toreceive a first signal relating to a pressure at a fluid intake. Thecentral controller also includes a first output coupled to atransmission of the response vehicle, the transmission configured toselectively provide mechanical energy to a mechanical pumping system ofthe response vehicle. The central controller also includes a processingcircuit comprising a processor and a memory, the memory including atransmission control module that is executable by the processor to causethe processor to generate a first control signal that is transmitted tothe transmission via the first output in response to the processordetermining that the first signal received at the input indicates apositive intake pressure.

Another embodiment relates to a method for controlling a pumping systemof a response vehicle. The method includes receiving, by a centralcontrol system of the response vehicle, a first input regarding an inputpressure to the pumping system from a fluid source. The method alsoincludes determining, by the central control system, that the firstinput indicates a positive input pressure from the fluid source. Themethod also includes transmitting, by the central control system, acontrol signal to a transmission of the response vehicle so as to shifta gear of the transmission such that the gear ratio of the transmissionis lower than a default pumping gear ratio.

Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features andcombinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a response vehicle including variousfeatures described herein, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a fluid intake system of the responsevehicle of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a fluid output system of the responsevehicle of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a central controller for a responsevehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a process for providing a fluid output to anarea of interest, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a process for controlling a transmission of aresponse vehicle based on an intake pressure of a pumping system,according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures which illustrate the exemplary embodimentsin detail, it should be understood that the application is not limitedto the details or methodology set forth in the following detaileddescription or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purposeof description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a central controller for aresponse vehicle (e.g., a fire truck) is provided. The centralcontroller interfaces with various subsystems of the vehicle (e.g., thedrive system, fluid output systems, etc.) to provide an amount ofcontrol over a pumping system of that is superior to that provided bytraditional systems. For example, the central controller may interfacewith various sensors disposed throughout the vehicle to receive variousindications as to the operation of the pumping system. Signalsindicative of discharge pressures, intake pressures, intake vacuum(s),water temperature, water levels, and the like may be used to measure theperformance of the pumping system and to inform various personnel (e.g.,an operator, commander, or other personnel) regarding the operation ofthe pumping system.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the central controller may alsocontrol the operation of the pumping system based on various inputs. Forexample, the controller may receive an input to place the responsevehicle into a pumping mode, and automatically perform various steps(e.g., place the transmission into neutral, engage a power take offdevice to couple an engine to the pumping system, and place thetransmission back into gear) to place the vehicle into a pumping mode.Additionally, the central controller may receive an input regarding apreferred fluid output (e.g., a preferred output pressure) at aplurality of outlets of the vehicle, and control the engine and/orpumping system of the vehicle so as to maintain the preferred fluidoutput at the outlets. Additionally, the central controller may receivevarious inputs regarding an intake pressure of the pumping system from afluid source. In response to receiving an indication of a positive fluidsource, for example, the central controller may change the gear ratio ofthe transmission of the vehicle so as to maintain an engine RPM suitablefor operating various vehicle subsystems while avoidingover-pressurizing the pumping system.

Referring generally to FIG. 1, a vehicle is shown according to anexemplary embodiment. The vehicle is shown as a firefighting vehicle 100which is configured to deliver a firefighting agent, such as water,foam, and/or any other fire suppressant to an area of interest (e.g.,building, environmental area, airplane, automobile, another firefightingvehicle, etc.) using a vehicle fluid delivery system. Vehicle 100generally comprises a chassis, a cab supported at a front portion of thechassis, a body supported by the chassis rearward of the cab, a drivesystem for operating the vehicle and/or one or more systems thereof, anda fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system generally includes afluid supply system, a fluid discharge system, a fluid conduit system,and a pump system for pressurizing and/or displacing a firefightingfluid or other agent.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 includes a control system, shown ascentral controller 102. By way of overview, the central controller 102includes a plurality of interfaces facilitating the central controller102 receiving and transmitting signals from various subsystems, shown asvehicle subsystems 104-124, a display, shown as display 128, and a userdevice 130 by way of a wireless connection described below. As such, thecentral controller 102 facilitates the control of various subsystems104-124 of the vehicle 100 by way of various means. In the exemplaryembodiment shown, the central controller 102 is further configured toestablish connections with various devices (e.g., the user device 130described below) and transmit various communications (e.g.,instructions, data, and the like) to those external devices. A moredetailed description of the central controller 102 will be providedbelow in relation to FIG. 4.

The vehicle 100 includes a drive system, shown as drive system 104. Thedrive system 104 provides power to operate the vehicle 100 and certainother subsystems 106-124 of the vehicle 100. Drive system 104 generallycomprises a power source or prime mover and a motion transfer device.The prime mover generally generates mechanical energy (e.g., rotationalmomentum) from an energy source (e.g., fuel). Examples of suitable primemovers include, but are limited to, an internal combustion gas-poweredengine, a diesel engine, a turbine, a fuel cell driven motor, anelectric motor or any other type of motor capable of providingmechanical energy. Any of the above mentioned prime movers may be usedalone or in combination with one or more additional power sources (as ina hybrid vehicle) to provide mechanical energy. In the example, shown,the prime move includes an internal combustion engine 106.

The motion transfer device is coupled to a power output of the primemover and is configured to transfer the mechanical energy produced bythe prime mover to various other elements of the vehicle 100. In theexample shown, the motion transfer device includes a transmission 108.The transmission 108 may be any of a variety of suitable transmissions(e.g., standard, hybrid, automatic, etc.). The transmission 108 mayinclude an input shaft coupled to the engine 106 and at least one outputshaft. A gear system including a plurality of ratio gears mayselectively engage with a gear coupled to the input shaft so provide amulti-ratio output. The transmission 108 may include a plurality ofclutches so as to selectively engage various gears to produce a desiredrotational output. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the transmissionincludes a transmission sub-controller (not shown) configured to receivevarious control signals from the central controller 102 and produce anoutput control signal to control the mode and/or gear ratio of thetransmission 108. For example, the output control signal may control theoperation of various solenoid valves coupled to various clutches tocontrol the operating gear ratio of the transmission 108. As will bedescribed below, the output control signal of the transmissionsub-controller may be based on various inputs (e.g., an operator input430, sensor signal received at the fluid intake system interface 436,etc.) produced by the vehicle 100. The output of the transmission 108may be coupled to the a drive shaft 110 of the vehicle 100 to providemechanical energy to various motive members (e.g., wheels via adifferential or the like) of the vehicle 100 to propel the vehicle 100in response to an input (e.g., a throttle input) being provided to theengine 106.

The vehicle 100 further includes a power take off device (PTO) 112configured to selectively couple the output of the transmission 108 tothe pumping system 114 of the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, the PTO112 includes a clutch (not shown) that selectively couples the output ofthe transmission 108 to the pumping system 114 via the PTO 112 (e.g.,when the operator selects a “pumping mode” for the vehicle 100). In someembodiments, such a clutch may be only be engaged when the transmission108 has been placed in a certain mode of operation (e.g., omtp neutral)and/or when the vehicle 100 is stationary. In some embodiments, the PTO112 may include an axillary gearbox including a plurality of gear ratiosto alternate the rate at which rotational energy is provided to thepumping system 114. The PTO 112 may include a PTO sub-controller (notshown) configured to monitor the mode of operation of the PTO 112 (e.g.,the current gear ratio, the engagement of the clutch, etc.) and receivevarious control signals from the central controller 102 to control theoperation of the PTO 112. In some embodiments, the PTO is integratedwith or otherwise a part of the transmission 108.

The pumping system 114 is configured to draw fluid from a fluid source126 for use by the vehicle 100 via the fluid intake system 116. Pumpingsystem 114 may include any mechanism that can use mechanical energy tocreate a pressure differential. For example, in one embodiment, thepumping system 114 includes a liquid pump coupled to the PTO 112. Thepumping system 114 may also be configured to selectively provide waterto either the water tank 118 or the fluid output system 124. The watertank 118 may be any structure capable of holding water, such as avessel, container, chamber, volume, etc.

The fluid intake system 116 is configured to interface with the fluidsource 126 and provide fluid therefrom to the pumping system 114. Insome embodiments, the fluid intake system 116 is integrated with asuction inlet of the pumping system 114. In the example embodimentshown, the fluid intake system 116 is configured to measure an intakepressure of the fluid from the fluid source 126 to provide an input tothe central controller 102, as described herein. A more detailedexplanation of the fluid intake system 116 will be provided below inrelation to FIG. 2.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 further includes a foamsystem 122. In the example shown, the foam system 122 is placeddownstream of the pumping system 114. Fluid drawn by the pumping system114 from the fluid source 126 or the water tank 118 may be combined witha foamant stored in the foam tank 120. In some embodiments, the foamsystem 122 includes a pump separate from the pumping system 114 and anassociated controller (not shown). The pump may draw foamant stored inthe foam tank 120 and force the foamant through a check valve into aport in fluidic communications with an outlet of the pumping system 114prior to the fluidic output reaching the output system 124. In someembodiments, the rate at which foamant is drawn from the foam tankdepends on an input received from an operator or other user (e.g., fromthe central controller 102 described below). Additionally, the centralcontroller 102 may selectively open or close the check valve of the foamsystem 120 depending on the mode of operation of the pumping system 114,as described below.

The fluid output system 124 is configured to direct fluid provided bythe pumping system 114 (or a combination of outputs from the pumpingsystem 114 and the foam system 122) to an area of interest. In theexemplary embodiment shown, the fluid output system 124 is configured toprovide input signals to the central controller 102. The input signalsmay be generated via an input received from a user or by a sensingdevice configured to detect at least one characteristic of a fluidoutput being emitted by the fluid output system 124. A more detaileddescription of the fluid output system 124 will be provided below inrelation to FIG. 3.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 further includes a display,shown as display 128. Display 128 may be, for example, a display (e.g.,a CANlink® CL-711 display manufactured by HED Inc., etc.) having aninterface (e.g., a touchscreen, a display with a row of buttons disposedalong one side thereof, etc.) that receives an input from a user.Display 128 may support any type of display feature, such as aflipbook-style animation, or any other type of transition feature.Display 128 may generally provide a plurality of navigation buttons thatallow a user to select various displays and other options via touch.Display 128 may further, upon detection of a sensor signal captured byany of the vehicle subsystems 104-124, generate a graphicalrepresentation of the sensor signal. For example, if a signal isreceived from a water level sensor of the water tank 118, a water levelscreen may be displayed that informs the operator of the current waterlevel. Display 128 may have a wired or wireless connection with otherresponse vehicle subsystems and/or with remote devices.

The display 128 may be configured to display a graphical user interface,an image, an icon, a notification, and indication, and/or still otherinformation. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the display includes agraphical user interface configured to provide general information aboutthe vehicle 100 captured by the various sensing devices included in thevarious vehicle subsystems 104-124. Through such an interface, theoperator may be able to view various fluid levels of the vehicle 100(e.g., fuel level, water tank level, transmission fluid level, foamlevel, etc.), tire pressures, the mileage of the vehicle 100, batteryvoltage levels, and the like.

The display 128 may include any number of supporting buttons and othertactile user inputs to support interaction between a user and thedisplay. For example, a plurality of push buttons may be located next toor below the display to provide the user with further options. It shouldbe understood that the configuration of the display 128 may vary withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

The display 128 may include or support various technologies. Forexample, the display 128 be a touchscreen display and may be separatedinto any number of portions (e.g., a split-screen type display, etc.).For example, a first portion of the screen may be reserved for oneparticular type of display (e.g., warnings and alerts, etc.), whileanother portion of the screen may be reserved for general vehicleinformation (e.g., speed, fuel level, etc.). The display 128 may beconfigured to handle any type of transition, animation, or other displayfeature that allows for ease of access of information on the display.

In one embodiment, the display 128 is coupled to a USB input, allowingthe display software to be updated. For example, such updates mayinclude updating the maps stored on the display (e.g., to improvenavigation features, etc.). Further, custom files may be downloaded tothe display (e.g., custom logos, images, text, etc.) to personalize thedisplay 128 for use in the vehicle 100.

The display may include any number of video inputs (e.g., from one ormore cameras located on the vehicle 100, etc.). For example, the displaymay be capable of receiving four video inputs and may display up to fourvideo inputs simultaneously on the display. The display may beconfigured to detect when a camera feed is up, therefore determiningwhen to display a video input on the display or not (e.g., notdisplaying a blank or blue screen, etc.).

The user device 130 is a device associated with a user. The user mayinclude any individual having any sort of association with the vehicle100. In various other embodiments, the user may include emergencyresponse personnel (e.g., firefighters, management personnel, and thelike), government inspectors, and the like. The user device 130 mayinclude any type of device capable of establishing a connection andreceiving information from the central controller 102. As such, the userdevice 130 may include wearable devices such as a smart watch or amobile computing device such as a smart phone, tablet, personal digitalassistant, and laptop computing device. Alternatively, the user device130 may include a stationary computing system such as a desktop computerlocated, for example, at the fire station associated with the vehicle100.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the fluid intake system 116 is described in moredetail. In the example shown, the fluid intake system 116 includes apressure transducer 202 and an intake valve 204. The intake valve 204 isconfigured to control a fluid flow from the fluid source 126. Forexample, in some embodiments the intake valve 204 may receive variouscontrol signals from the central controller 102. In response, the intakevalve 204 may open or close by an amount indicated by the controlsignals so as to control fluid input from the fluid source 126independent of the energy applied by the pumping system 114. In someembodiments, the intake valve 204 may detect the status of theconnection of any hoses (e.g., intake lines) to the central controller102. Pressure transducer 202 is generally a pressure transducer (e.g., avacuum transducer) configured to determine intake pressure and tocommunicate a signal representing intake pressure to the centralcontroller 102. Pressure transducer 202 may communicate the signal tothe central controller 102 via a wired or wireless connection. In someembodiments the pressure transducer 202 is integrated with the intakevalve 204.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the fluid output system 124 is described in moredetail. Generally, fluid output system 124 may be or refer to any of anumber of liquid discharge systems including a hose or line networkcoupled to a pump panel. As shown the fluid output system 124 includesthree outlets, with each outlet including an output valve 302, apressure transducer 304, a user input 306 and a nozzle 308. The outputvalves 302 are configured to control various characteristics of a fluidflow directed to an area of interest via the nozzle 308. As such, theoutput valve 302 may have a plurality of positions (e.g., closed, open,and various levels between). In some embodiments, the output valve 302may include a user input 306 configured to receive various inputs forman output operator. For example, the user input 306 may include a knobenabling the user to indicate a preference as to the level of opennessof the output valve 302 to control characteristics for the flow emittedfrom the nozzle 308. In another example, the operator input may enablethe operator select a desired fluid output pressure. In someembodiments, such inputs may be transmitted (e.g., by way of a wirelesstransceiver or a wired connection) to the central controller 102 andused to control various other vehicle subsystems 104-124 as describedbelow.

The pressure transducer 304 is configured to measure a water pressurelevel at the output. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pressuretransducer 304 is similar to the transducer 202 discussed above. Assuch, the pressure transducer 304 may measure the pressure at the outputand transmit an input signal indicative of the pressure level back tothe central controller 102. The nozzle 308 may a deluge gun, a watercannon, a deck gun, or any other piece of equipment capable ofcontrolling the direction or other characteristics (e.g., spray type,spray velocity, etc.) of a fluid flow emitted from the output.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a more detailed view of the central controller102 of the vehicle 100 of FIG. 1 is shown, according to an exemplaryembodiment. The central controller 102 includes a processing circuit 402including a processor 404 and a memory 406. Processor 404 may be ageneral purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processingcomponents. Processor 404 may be configured to execute computer code orinstructions stored in memory 406 or received from other computerreadable media (e.g., CDROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.) toperform one or more of the processes described herein. Memory 406 mayinclude one or more data storage devices (e.g., memory units, memorydevices, computer-readable storage media, etc.) configured to storedata, computer code, executable instructions, or other forms ofcomputer-readable information. Memory 406 may include random accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporarystorage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any othersuitable memory for storing software objects and/or computerinstructions. Memory 406 may include database components, object codecomponents, script components, or any other type of informationstructure for supporting the various activities and informationstructures described in the present disclosure. Memory 406 may becommunicably connected to processor 404 via processing circuit 402 andmay include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor 404, etc.)one or more of the processes described herein.

The memory 406 is described below as including various modules. Whilethe exemplary embodiment shown in the figures shows each of the modules408-426 as being separate from one another, it should be understoodthat, in various other embodiments, the memory may include more, less,or altogether different modules. For example, the structures andfunctions of one module may be performed by another module, or theactivities of two modules may be combined such that they are performedby only a signal module. Additionally, it should be understood that anyof the functionalities described as being performed by a module that isa part of the central controller 102 below may also be performed by aseparate hardware component having its own processors, networkinterfaces, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 406 includes an onboard communicationsmodule 408. Onboard communications module 408 is configured tofacilitate wireless communications with user devices and with othervehicles via communications interface 438 (e.g., a transceiver, etc.).Communications interface 438 may support any kind of wireless standard(e.g., 802.11 b/g/n, 802.11a, etc.) and may interface with any type ofmobile device (e.g., laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) having Wi-Ficapability. Communications interface 438 may further facilitate wirelesscommunications with an external global positioning system (GPS). Onboardcommunications module 408 may be any type of Wi-Fi capable module (e.g.,a CL-T04 CANect® Wi-Fi Module manufactured by HED Inc., etc.) configuredto support wireless communications with the mobile devices and otherresponse vehicles. In one embodiment, the user devices communicate withthe response vehicles via Wi-Fi. In other embodiments, thecommunications between the user devices and/or response vehicles may besupported via CDMA, GSM, or another cellular connection. In still otherembodiments, another wireless protocol is utilized (e.g., Bluetooth,Zigbee, radio, etc.).

Onboard communications module 408 may include various security featuresfor providing secure communications between the central controller 102and user devices 130. Such a module may further include other responsevehicle-related features that may be used in the systems and methodsdisclosed herein (e.g., diagnostics features, navigation features,etc.). For more detail regarding the onboard communications module, seeco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/097,278 entitled“Response Vehicle Systems and Methods,” hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

In the example embodiment shown, the central controller 102 establishesa connection with the user device 130 via the communications interface438 as controlled by the onboard communications module 408. For example,the user may approach the vehicle 100 with the user device 130. The userdevice 130 may pick up a wireless signal broadcasted by thecommunications interface 438. In response, the user may provide an inputto the user device 130 to establish a connection to the centralcontroller 102 by inputting credentials (e.g., a password or the like)in the user device 130. In response to receiving such an input, theonboard communications module 408 may cause the processor 404 of thecentral controller 102 to authenticate the user by comparing the inputcredentials to credentials stored in the central controller 102 (e.g.,in the vehicle database 428). Having authenticated the user, variousencryption keys and the like may be exchanged between the user device130 and the central controller 102 to establish a secure connectionbetween the central controller 102 and the user device 130. Such aconnection may support any of the communications between the user device130 and the central controller 102 described herein. For example,various display datasets in the form of webpages may be transmitted bythe central controller 102 to the user device 130 such that the datasetsare viewable via a web browser on the user device 130. Such webpages mayenable the user to provider various inputs to the central controller 102described herein.

As shown in FIG. 4, the central controller 102 includes an operatorinput 430. The operator input 430 is configured to receive inputs froman operator or other personnel and provide various inputs to vehiclesubsystems 104-124. The operator input may include one or more buttons,knobs, touchscreens, switches, levers, joysticks, pedals, or handles andassociated hardware and software combinations (e.g., analog to digitalconverters and the like) to convert operator interactions with suchcomponents into readable control signals. For example, the operatorinput 430 may include a button enabling the operator to change theoperating mode of the drive system 104 so as to provide mechanicalenergy to the pumping system 114 via the transmission 108 (i.e., switchthe vehicle 100 from “driving mode” into a “pumping mode”). In anotherexample, the operator input 430 may also include an accelerator pedalenabling the operator to provide an input signal to the engine via thedrive system interface 436.

As shown in FIG. 4, the central controller 102 includes interfaces432-434 to the fluid intake system 116 and the fluid output system 124.Interfaces 432-434 communicably couple the central controller 102 to thefluid output system 124 and fluid intake system 116. Interfaces 432-434may include a jack or other hardware for physically coupling a line orconnector to the central controller 102. Alternatively, the interfaces432-434 may be integrated with the communications interface 438, andsuch signals may be transmitted and received wirelessly. In any event,interfaces 432-434 receive command signals from the processor 404 andforward control signals to the valves 204 and 302 of the systems 116 and120 to control characteristics of fluid being received by the vehicle100 via the pumping system 114 and emitted via the output system 120. Insome embodiments, such command signals may be generated by the processor404 in response to various inputs received from the operator or otherpersonnel. For example, the operator (e.g., via the display 128) mayindicate a preference as to the state of the intake valve 204. Inresponse, the processor 404 may generate an intake control signal andtransmit the control signal to the intake valve 204 via the interface436.

Additionally, the central controller 102 receives sensor signalsmeasured by various sensors (e.g., the pressure transducers 202 and304). For example, a pressure signal from the pressure transducer 202indicating a pressure level of the fluid source 126 may be received fromthe fluid intake system 116 via the fluid intake system interface 434.As will be described below, such a signal may be used to generate acontrol signal transmitted to the drive system 104 via the drive systeminterface 436. In another example, an input may be received from thefluid output system 124 (e.g., a firefighter may indicate a preferenceas to the pressure of fluid to be emitted from a particular nozzle 306).As will be described below, such an input may be used by the centralcontroller 102 to control the pumping system 114 so as to generate thedesired output.

As shown in FIG. 4, the central controller 102 further includes a drivesystem interface 436. Drive system interface 436 is shown as aninterface for communicably coupling the engine 106, transmission 108,and PTO 112 to the central control system 102. As such, drive systeminterface 436 may be any hardware and/or software compatible the variousconnections between central controller 102 and these components. In someembodiments, the vehicle 100 includes various data lines (not shown)connecting the various components herein. Accordingly, the drive systeminterface 436 and interfaces 432-434 discussed above may include a jack,a solder point, and/or other hardware for physically coupling thecontroller 102 to the engine 106, transmission 108, and/or PTO 112.Additionally, drive system interface 436 may include communicationshardware/software, a digital to analog converter, an analog to digitalconverter, a circuit for interpreting signals representing RPM,transmission gear level, transmission operating mode, and/or anothersuitable component. Similar to the interfaces 432-434 discussed above,the drive system interface 436 is configured to provide various controlsignals to the engine 106, transmission 108, and PTO 112. As describedbelow, such control signals may be based on various inputs received viaoperator inputs 430 and sensor signals received via interfaces 432-434.

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 406 includes a transmission controlmodule 410 configured to control the state of operation of thetransmission 108. The transmission control module 410 is structured tocause the processor 404 to generate and transmit control signals to thetransmission 108 by way of the drive system interface 436. Such controlsignals may be based on various inputs received by the centralcontroller 102. For example, via the operator input 430 (e.g., via thedisplay 128), the operator may indicate an effective gear ratiopreference for the transmission 108. Upon receipt of such an input, theprocessor 404 may execute the transmission control module 410, which mayinclude a plurality of lookup tables including various instructions forgenerating a transmission control signal based on the input.Accordingly, the processor 404 may retrieve the appropriate set ofinstructions based on the received input, generate a control signalbased on the retrieved instructions, and transmit the control signal tothe transmission 108 by way of the drive system interface 436. Uponreceipt of the control signal, a sub-controller of the transmission 108may activate a solenoid valve so as to engage a clutch corresponding tothe desired gear ratio.

In other examples, the transmission control module 410 causes theprocessor 404 to generate control signals based on various other inputs.One such input may be produced via the location module 426 describedbelow. For example, upon a determination that the vehicle 100 is withina predetermined distance of a fluid source 126 having a positive outputpressure (e.g., a fire hydrant or the like), the processor 404 mayprovide a location input to the transmission control module 410. Such aninput may cause the processor 404 to execute certain program logic ofthe transmission control module 410. This program logic may cause theprocessor 404 to identify the operational state of various vehiclesubsystems such as the PTO 112 (e.g., whether the vehicle has beenplaced into a pumping mode by the engaging of a clutch to providemechanical energy to the pumping system 114), the engine 106 (e.g., theRPM level) and the transmission 108 (e.g., the current operation gearratio). In some embodiments, upon determining that the vehicle has beenplaced into pumping mode (e.g., via an input provided from the operatorinputs 430), the engine 106 is operating at an RPM below a certainthreshold, and that the transmission 108 is operating in a defaultpumping gear ratio (e.g., 1:1), the program logic may further cause theprocessor 404 to produce a control signal and transmit the controlsignal to the transmission 108 by way of the drive system interface 436.For example, the processor 404 may access a fluid source pressure lookuptable and retrieve a set of instructions based on the output pressure ofthe fluid source 126 (as identified by the information included in thelocation module 426) to generate a transmission control signal. Thetransmission control signal may cause the transmission 108 to down-shiftthe transmission to a higher gear ratio so as to increase the rate ofoperation of the engine 106 while maintaining the amount of mechanicalenergy provided to the pumping system 114 via the PTO 112.

Another input to the transmission control module 410 may be produced bythe processor 404 in response to a sensor signal received from the fluidintake system 116. For example, the pressure transducer 202 may producea signal indicative of the pressure from the fluid source 126 at theintake valve 204. If the indicated pressure is above a predeterminedthreshold, a pressure-based input may be provided to the transmissioncontrol module 410. Such an input may cause the processor 404 to executecertain program logic of the transmission control module 410 so as tocause the processor 404 to perform similar to those discussed above withrespect to the location input.

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 406 further includes a PTO control module412 configured to control the operation of the PTO 112 so as to placethe vehicle 100 into a pumping mode and/or a driving mode. In someembodiments, the PTO control module 412 is configured to switch thecontrol system 102 from a driving mode to a pumping mode in response tovarious inputs. For example, the operator may select a pumping mode viathe operator inputs 430, or an external user may provide such a commandvia a secure connection with a user device 130 and, in response, the PTOcontrol module 412 may cause the processor 404 to transmit a controlsignal to the PTO 112 to cause energy from the transmission 108 to bedirected to the pumping system 114. For example, the control signal mayactivate a solenoid valve of the PTO 112 so as to engage a clutch tocouple the PTO 112 with an output shaft of the transmission 108. Asimilar input may be received via the location module 426. For example,if the processor 404 determines that the vehicle 100 is stationary andthat the location of the vehicle 100 is within a predetermined distanceof a destination, the vehicle 100 may be automatically placed into thepumping mode.

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 406 further includes an engine controlmodule 414 configured to control the operation of the engine 106.Similar to the transmission control module 410, the engine controlmodule 414 may cause the processor 404 to access a plurality of lookuptables in response to various inputs. For example, the operator maypress an accelerator pedal of the operator input 430 so as to provide athrottle input to the central controller 102. In response, the processor404 may execute the engine control module 414, access a lookup table toconvert the input to a throttle signal, and transmit a correspondingcontrol signal to the engine 106 so as to cause the engine 106 tooperate at the preferred rate.

The engine control module 414 is also configured to control the engine106 when the vehicle 100 is placed into pumping mode. When in pumpingmode, the engine control module 414 may cause the processor 404 tocontrol the operational rate of the engine 106 so as to providesufficient mechanical energy to the pumping system 114 to provide adesired fluid output at the fluid output system 124. In someembodiments, the operator (e.g., via the display 128) or other user(e.g., a user of the fluid output system 124 at the point of fluidoutput) may provide inputs as to a preferred output pressure for fluidat the fluid output system 124, causing the processor 404 to control theoperational rate of the engine 106 to maintain the desired outputpressure. The engine control module 414 may also cause the processor 404to control the operational rate of the engine in response to varioussensor signals measured by the fluid intake system 116 and fluid outputsystem 124. For example, in response to a decrease in the outputmeasured by the transducers 304 of the fluid output system 124, theprocessor 404 may cause the operational rate of the engine 106 toincrease so as to maintain the output pressure at a previous level.Similar input signals may also be provided a sensor of the pumpingsystem 114 (e.g., a transducer measuring the pressure of the outputprovided to the fluid output system 124).

The control signals produced for the engine 106 via the engine controlmodule 414 may vary depending on the state of various other vehiclesubsystems. For instance, if the vehicle 100 has been placed into apumping mode, the control signals produced may be different than if thevehicle 100 is placed into driving mode. As such, the dependence of theengine control signals on the current state of the transmission 108(e.g., the current gear ratio) may vary depending on whether the vehicle100 is placed into pumping mode or driving mode.

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 406 further includes a pump systemcontrol module 416. In various example embodiments, the pump systemcontrol module 416 may cause the processor 404 to control variouscomponents of the pumping system 114. For example, in some embodiments,the pumping system 114 includes a secondary power source (e.g., otherthan the engine 106) such as an electrical motor. The pump systemcontrol module 416 may cause the processor 404 to control the operationof the secondary power source in response to the operational rate of theengine 106, the output pressure of the pumping system 120, the intakepressure at the fluid intake system 116, and so on.

Additionally, the pump system control module 416 may also change variouscharacteristics of the fluid outputs of the pumping system 114 (e.g.,the output provided to the fluid output system 124) depending on theselected mode of operation for the pumping system 114. In the exampleembodiment disclosed herein, the pumping system 114 may be placed intovarious modes of operation based on various inputs. For example, theoperator (via the operator input 430) or other user (e.g., via a secureconnection with a user device 130) may provide an input to place thepumping system into various modes depending on the type of fire that thevehicle 100 is being used to combat. In one embodiment, the pumpingsystem 114 may be placed into three different modes: a vehicle firemode, a vegetation fire mode, and a relay pumping mode. In the vehiclefire mode, the foam system 122 is activated such that foamant from thefoam tank 120 is introduced into the outlet flow of the pumping system114, and the pumping system 114 is controlled so as to provide an outputto the fluid output system 124 at a first output pressure. Accordingly,the pump system control module 416 may control various valves in thepumping system 114 based on the operational level of the engine 106 soas to produce an output at the first output pressure. In the vegetationfire mode, the foam system 122 is not activated and the pumping system114 is controlled so as to provide an output at a second output pressureto the fluid output system 124. The second output pressure may vary fromthe first output pressure.

In the relay pumping mode, the vehicle 100 serves to deliver fluid toanother vehicle. In other words, the output of the pumping system 114serves as a fluid source 126 for the other vehicle. Given this, ratherthan providing a fluid output to the various nozzles 308 of the outputsystem 124 shown in FIG. 3, the pumping system 114 may deliver fluid toa single outline line. Additionally, the pump system control module 416may configure the pumping system 114 to produce an output initially at athird output pressure that is lower than the first output pressure andthe second output pressure discussed above to prevent problems at theintake system (e.g., similar to the intake system 116) of the othervehicle. The output pressure produced by the pumping system 114 mayincrease a predetermined rate until the inlet pressure at the othervehicle (e.g., as measured by a pressure transducer in a fluid intakesystem similar to the fluid intake system 116) reaches a target level.

Additionally, when in relay pumping mode, the pump system control module416 may control the operation of the vehicle 100 based on various inputsreceived from the other vehicle to which the vehicle 100 is connected.For example, the other vehicle may transmit such inputs to the centralcontroller 102 via a secure connection established in a way similar tothe secure connection with the user device 130 discussed above. Theinputs may include, for example, the output pressure at the outputsystem (e.g., similar to the output system 124) of the other vehicle,the RPM of the engine of the other vehicle, the intake pressure at afluid intake system (e.g., similar to the fluid intake system 116), andthe like. In any event, if the central controller 102 receives anindication that the other vehicle has a diminished demand for fluid fromthe vehicle 100 (e.g., as indicated by a decrease in the RPM rate, or anoutput pressure of the other vehicle), the pump system control module416 may cause the processor 404 to produce a control signal to reducethe output pressure produced by the pumping system 114 (e.g., bydecreasing the RPM of the engine 106, by adjusting the intake valve 204of the fluid intake system 116, adjusting an output valve of the pumpingsystem 114, etc.). As such, undue pressure on the intake system of theother vehicle is beneficially avoided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 406 further includes a foam systemcontrol module 418 configured to control the operation of the foamsystem 122. As such, the foam system control module 418 may bestructured to cause the cause the processor 404 to produce variouscontrol signals to actuate various elements of the foam system 122(e.g., electric check valve, a power source for the foam system 122,etc.) based on various inputs. For example, upon the vehicle 100 beingplaced in the vehicle fire mode discussed above, a control signal mayopen the check valve of the foam system 122 and cause a pump associatedwith the foam system 122 to draw foamant from the foam tank 120 at apredetermined rate. Additionally, the operator or other user may inputpreferences as to a preferred level of foam output to control the pumpof the foam system 122.

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 406 further includes a display module422. The display module 422 is structured to cause the processor 404 togenerate various displays for viewing by the display 128. In the exampleembodiments shown, the displays presented via the display 128 may varydepending on various inputs received from the operator or other user.For example, the display module 422 may include a menu navigation module(not shown). The menu navigation module may present the operator with amenu interface presenting various options to the operator. Each optionmay include a selectable widget configured to cause the display module422 to generate and/or retrieve a particular display in response to theoperator's selection of the widget (e.g., by the operator touching thescreen of the display 128 in a position that corresponds to a particularwidget).

For example, the menu interface may include vehicle operation widget. Inresponse to the operator selecting the operation widget, the displaymodule 422 may cause the processor 404 to present the operator with thestatus of various subsystems of the vehicle 100. Such a display mayinclude, for example, identify current operational status of the vehicle100 (e.g., whether the vehicle has been placed into a pumping mode or adriving mode), a mode of operation of the pumping system 114 (e.g., thepumping system 114 may be placed in either an RPM mode, where the usercontrols the pump based a RPM level of the engine 106, or a pressuremode, where the operator can select an output pressure for the pumpingsystem 114 at either the fluid output system 124 or the intake of thefluid output system 124), a vehicle driveline states (e.g., a currentRPM of the engine 106), and various descriptors of the operation of thepumping system 114 (e.g., current discharge pressure at various nozzles308 of the fluid output system 124, intake pressures measured by thefluid intake system 116, intake vacuum(s), water temperatures, waterlevels in the water tank 118, foam levels, etc.). While display module422 is described with reference to the vehicle 100 in FIG. 4, it shouldbe understood that display module 422 may provide the same or a similartype of interface, with the same, similar, or different types offeatures (e.g., touchscreen input capability, etc.) to the user devices130 as well.

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 406 includes a diagnostics module 424.The diagnostics module 424 is structured to enable the processor 404 toprocess data received via the interfaces 432-436 discussed above. Forexample, via the diagnostics module 424, the processor 404 may comparethe data received from various sensors on the vehicle 100 to variousbaseline values, and generate a diagnostics report. For example, uponthe central controller 102 receiving a signal indicating a current RPMlevel of the engine 106 and a current gear ratio of the transmission,the diagnostics module 410 may interface with the display module 422 toproduce graphical representations of such signals for presentation tothe operator via the display 128.

In the example embodiment shown, diagnostics module 424 is alsospecifically configured to monitor the operation of the pumping system114. In this regard, the diagnostics module 424 may include a datalogger configured to store various data points measured by varioussensors capturing data regarding the operation of the pumping system114. For example, the diagnostics module may monitor the pressure of theoutput of the pumping system 114 as a function of the RPM of the engine106. The diagnostics module 424 may also compare the relationshipbetween these values (e.g., the rate of change in the RPM versus therate of change of the output pressure of the pumping system 114) with abaseline relationship (e.g., gathered at a routine performance check) soas to determine if the performance of the pumping system 114 is indecline. If so, the diagnostics module 424 may interface with thedisplay module 422 to generate a pumping system alert. Similarly, analert may be presented to the operator if the water tank 118 has a levelof water below a predetermined threshold or if the intake pressure(e.g., as measured by the fluid intake system 116) is above apredetermined threshold. Additionally, similar to the subsystem displaysdiscussed above, the diagnostics module 424 may further interface withthe display module to provide graphical representations of various otheraspects of the operation of the pumping system (e.g., dischargepressures, intake pressures, intake vacuum, water temperatures, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 406 includes a location module 426. Thelocation module 426 is configured to provide navigational assistance tothe vehicle 100. In this regard, the location module 426 may includedatasets containing information pertaining to routes to variousdestinations. A destination may be provided to the vehicle 100 (e.g.,via a user device 130), and the processor 404 may identify a route tothe destination using the information included in the location module426. Step-by-step navigation instructions may be presented to theoperator of the vehicle 100 to assist the vehicle 100 timely arriving atthe indicated destination.

Alternatively or additionally, the location module 426 may store variousdatasets pertaining to various locations of interest to personnel (e.g.,commanders, firefighters, and the like) associated with the vehicle 100.For example, the location module 426 may store information pertaining tothe location of various fluid sources 126. The information may includelocation coordinates for various fluid sources 126, and identify theoutput pressure of the identified fluid sources 126. Further, programlogic included in the location module 426 may cause the processor 404 tocompare the current location of the vehicle 100 (e.g., as measured by aGPS system within the vehicle 100) with the location coordinates of thefluid sources 126 to determine if the vehicle 100 is within apredetermined distance (e.g., the length of an inlet line of the fluidintake system 116) of one of the fluid sources 126. Upon such adetermination, an input may be provided to the transmission controlmodule 410, as described herein.

As shown in FIG. 4, memory 406 also includes a vehicle database 428configured to store various forms of information pertaining to thevehicle 100. The vehicle database 428 may include, for example,telemetric data captured by the various sensors discussed above. Forexample, as discussed above the diagnostics module 424 may include adata logger or the like that stores any sensor signals received from thedrive system 104, PTO 112, pumping system 114, fluid intake system 116,water tank 118, foam system 122, and fluid output system 124. As such,the vehicle database 428 may include a plurality of telemetry datasets,with each dataset corresponding to a different sensor. Each dataset mayinclude a plurality of entries, with each entry including a sensorsignal value and a time stamp. Alternatively or additionally, thevehicle database 428 may store the vehicle subsystem reports generatedvia the diagnostics module 424.

In some embodiments, the vehicle database 428 also includes electronicversions of various manuals associated with the fire truck 100. Forexample, the vehicle database 428 may include digital versions of anoperator manual of the fire truck 100. The operator manual may includedescriptions of various components of the fire truck 100. The operatormanual may be stored in a format such that it is presentable to theoperator via the display 128. The central controller 102 may furtherinclude a searching algorithm enabling in the operator to selectivelyretrieve various portions of the operator manual (e.g., pertaining tospecific vehicle subsystems 104-124). Alternatively or additionally, theoperator manual may be stored such that it is transmittable via thecommunications interface 438 to various external computing systems(e.g., the user device 130). This way, other users of the vehicle 100may interface with the operator manual. The vehicle database 428 mayalso include various other manuals, such as an operating procedure forpumping, hazardous materials manuals, and the water supply mapsdiscussed above with respect to the location module 426.

Additionally, the vehicle database 428 may also store various forms ofinformation pertaining specifically to the pumping system 114. Forexample, the vehicle database 428 may include information pertaining tothe pressure loss and the friction loss associated with various outletsof the fluid output system 124. Alternatively or additionally, vehicledatabase 428 may also store pressure and friction loss charts for theoutlets for viewing via the display 128. This way, various personnel maycalculate the pressure and friction charts for the respective outlets ofthe fluid output system 124.

The data may be removed from the vehicle database 428 once the data isuploaded to a remote cloud storage. For example, long-term storage ofthe telemetry data and other data may be done on a centralized server,and communications interface 438 may wirelessly connect with a remoteserver to transmit and store the data. The data includes a timestamp andvehicle identifier information to identify the data in remote server.

In one embodiment, the data is automatically updated periodically. Thedata may also be updated upon user request. A controller area network(CAN) controller, such as diagnostics module 424 or another module maybe configured to monitor the data and to determine when a potentialstatus of the fire truck has changed based on the telemetry datachanges.

Vehicle database 428 may be any type of database (e.g., a SQLitedatabase, etc.), and modules 408-424 may query the database using anytype of language or method via backend framework. The backend frameworkof the central controller 102 may support the activities of periodicallyupdating and querying vehicle database 428, as well as providing weblayer authentication (e.g., to authenticate devices that attempt toaccess data from vehicle database 428, etc.). The backend framework mayfurther support the various security-related functionality of onboardcommunications module 408.

Central controller 102 may include, for example, a data transportprotocol layer configured to facilitate the query of data from vehicledatabase 428 for use by the various modules of memory 406. In oneembodiment, at least one of web sockets and AJAX polling is used toinvoke queries via backend framework and provide the data to thefrontend applications (e.g., the application layer, the modules, etc.),as they allow changes to database 428 to be detected and pushed to theapplication layer. The use of web sockets and/or AJAX may be based oncompatibility constraints and performance constraints with the userdevices 130 accessing central controller 102. The application layer, orthe frontend application, of central controller 102 may be built using,for example, HTML5, CSS, and various Javascript libraries.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flow chart of a process 500 for providing afluid output to an area of interest is shown, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Process 500 may be executed by, for example, thetransmission control module 410, power take off control module 412,engine control module 414, and/or pump system control module 416 of thecentral controller 102 discussed above. Process 500 may be executed toprovide a desired fluid output to a zone of interest.

Process 500 includes receiving a first input to switch the vehicle 100into pumping mode (block 502). For example, the operator may providevarious inputs to the central controller 102 to bring the vehicle 100 tothe scene of an incident (e.g., a fire). In some embodiments, theoperator may stop the vehicle 100 and, via the operator inputs 430, pulla level so as to indicate a preference to put the vehicle 100 intopumping mode. In some embodiments, such an input may be provided at thefluid output system 124. For example, a user may pull on an outlet ofthe fluid output system 124 so as to disengage the output from a holdingdevice to provide an input to place the vehicle 100 into a pumping mode.

Alternatively, the processor 404 may execute the location module 426 anddetermine that the vehicle 100 is within a predetermined distance of adestination provided by a dispatcher. Upon determining that the vehicle100 is within the predetermined distance and that the vehicle 100 hasstopped moving (or that the parking brake of the vehicle 100 isengaged), the central controller 102 may proceed in the process 500.

Process 500 includes transmitting control signals to the transmission108 and the PTO 112 to place the vehicle into pumping mode (blocks 504and 506). Upon receipt of the input to place the vehicle 100 intopumping mode at block 502, the processor 404 may execute thetransmission control module 410 to produce a first control signaldisengage various clutches of the transmission 108 so as to place thetransmission 108 into neutral. For example, the transmission 108 and PTO112 may be arranged such that the transmission 108 must be disengagedfrom the drive shaft 110 (and thus in neutral) in order to provide anymechanical energy to the pumping system 114. In some embodiments, thecentral controller 102 may perform various other checks on certainvehicle subsystems prior to placing the transmission 108 into neutral.For example, the central controller may verify that the parking brake ofthe vehicle 100 is engaged.

Having placed the transmission 108 into neutral, the processor 404 maygenerate second control signal and transmit that control signal to thePTO 112. The control signal may engage a clutch of the PTO 112 so as tomechanically couple an output shaft of the transmission 108 to a shaftof the PTO 112 coupled to the pumping system 114. Thus, at this point,the vehicle 100 has been placed into pumping mode because the pumpingsystem 114 may receive mechanical energy produced by the engine 106.

Process 500 includes transmitting a third control signal to thetransmission 108 to place the transmission 108 into a default pumpinggear (block 508). For example, the department with which the vehicle 100is associated or the manufacturer of a vehicle 100 may set a defaultgear ratio for the transmission 108 to drive the pumping system 114. Inone embodiment, the default gear ratio is 1:1 (e.g., 4^(th) gear).Accordingly, a third signal to place the transmission 108 into thedefault gear ratio may be generated by the processor and transmitted tothe transmission 108 by way of the drive system interface 436. Upon thisoccurring, a throttle control signal may be transmitted to the engine106 so as to cause the pumping system 114 to create a pressuredifferential in the intake system 116 to begin drawing fluid from thefluid source 126.

Process 500 includes receiving additional inputs regarding a preferredfluid output (block 510) and providing control signals to varioussubsystems to produce the preferred output (block 512). Such inputs maybe used by the central controller 102 to control the operation of thepumping system 114 by controlling the operational rate of the engine106. Certain inputs may be received automatically from various sensorswithin the vehicle. For example, a pressure transducer in the pumpingsystem 114 may measure the overall output pressure produced by thepumping system 114 to the fluid output system 124, and the centralcontroller 102 may provide control signals to the engine 106 to maintainthis overall output pressure. In another example, the pressuretransducer 202 of the fluid intake system 116 may provide such an input.For example, if the pressure transducer 202 provides a signal indicativeof a positive pressure from the fluid source 126, the controller 102 maytransmit control signals to the engine 106 to reduce the operationalrate of the engine (e.g., because less energy is needed from the pumpingsystem 114 to provide the same amount of fluid). In another example,such inputs may be provided by the pressure transducers 304 of the fluidoutput system 124. In response to a sudden decline in the outputpressure (e.g., a decline in output pressure at an outlet line by morethan a predetermined amount in less than a predetermined period), forexample, the central controller 102 may increase the RPM of the engine106 to bring the output pressure back to a previous value (e.g., back toa steady state value prior to the sudden decline).

Other inputs regarding a preferred fluid output may be received from theoperator of the vehicle 100 or other users. For example, emergencypersonnel operating the nozzles 308 of the fluid output system 124 mayprovide various inputs via user inputs 306. The inputs provided mayindicate preferred output pressures at the various nozzles 308. Inembodiments where the output system 120 includes a plurality of fluidicoutputs, the processor 404 may determine a total required water flow tothe fluid output system 124 to produce the preferred output pressures(e.g., based on the lengths of the various outlet lines, the nature ofthe nozzles 308, etc.), and access a lookup table to generate an enginecontrol signal to cause the pumping system 114 to provide a sufficientvolume of water to the fluid output system 124. Additionally, thecentral controller 102 may provide control signals to the output valves302 associated with the various outputs so as to provide an amount offluid to each output that corresponds with the desired output pressureat that output.

Alternatively or additionally, a pump operator may provide variousinputs as to preferred output pressure at the various outlet lines ofthe fluid output system 124. Additionally, the operator may indicatesuch preferences via the display 128, or another user may provide suchinputs with a user device 130 via a secure connection with the centralcontroller. Thus, the systems and methods disclosed herein allow forflexible control of the pumping system 114 from various vantage points.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow chart of a process 600 for providingpressure control is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Process600 may be executed by, for example, the transmission control module410, engine control module 414, and/or pump system control module 416 ofthe central controller 102 discussed above. Process 600 may be executedto improve vehicle operation while in pumping mode.

It should be understood that initiation of the process 600 may take anumber of forms. For example, in some embodiments, the process is 600 isinitiated automatically once the vehicle 100 is placed into a pumpingmode (e.g., by performing blocks 502-508 of the process 500 discussedabove). In some embodiments, the process 600 begins upon receipt of theinput at step 602 described below.

Process 600 includes receiving an input regarding a fluid intakepressure (block 602) and determining if the input indicates that theintake pressure is positive (block 604). As discussed above, such aninput may be received from an operator or other user, generated by theprocessor 404 via the location module 426 (e.g., in response todetermining that the location of the vehicle is 100 within apredetermined distance of a pre-identified fluid source 126), orreceived from the fluid intake system 116 (e.g., via pressure transducer202). Whether the input indicates a positive intake pressure may bedetermined based on the nature of the input. For example, the operatormay indicate the output pressure of a fluid source 126, or the outputpressure of a fluid source 126 may be pre-identified by informationstored in the vehicle database 428.

If the input does not indicate a positive intake pressure, thetransmission 108 is maintained at the default pumping gear discussedabove (block 606). In such a case, the central controller 102 maycontinue to perform processes similar to those discussed above at steps510 and 512 of the process 500 discussed above. If, however, the inputdoes indicate a positive intake pressure, the central controller 102determines if the engine RPM is below a predetermined threshold (block608). If the fluid source 126 provides a positive intake pressure, lessenergy is required from the pumping system 114 to produce a desiredoutput. Furthermore, less energy to the pumping system 114 may berequired to avoid over-pressurizing the various components of thepumping system 114 and/or fluid intake system 116. Accordingly, intraditional response vehicles, the operator may reduce the engine RPM ofthe engine 106. This practice may lead to degradations in performance ofvarious other subsystems of the vehicle 100. For example, bringing theengine RPM down may throw the alternator of the vehicle 100 off of anoptimal performance curve, leading to deficient powering of variousother components (e.g., the air conditioning). Thus, in someembodiments, the predetermined threshold may be determined based on theperformance curve of the alternator of the vehicle 100.

To prevent the above-described deficiencies in the event of a positivelypressured fluid source 126, process 600 includes down-shifting thetransmission 108 to a higher gear ratio in response to a positive intakepressure (block 610). For example, if the default pumping gear of thevehicle 100 is 4^(th) gear, the central controller 102 may transmit acontrol signal to cause the transmission 108 to automatically shift into3^(rd) gear. Thus, the engine 106 is able to operate at a higher RPMwithout over-pressurizing the pumping system 114. This enables, forexample, the alternator of the vehicle 100 to operate more favorably andtherefore for better operation of various other vehicle subsystems.

Process 600 includes adjusting the operation rate of the engine 106based on the downshifting (block 612). For example, the necessary amountof throttling for the engine 106 to produce a given output pressure forthe pumping system 114 is now higher given the down-shifting of thetransmission 108. As such, to maintain the various output pressures ofthe pumping system 114 described herein (e.g., at preferred levelsindicated by the users at the various nozzles 308), the centralcontroller 102 may access various down-shifted pumping lookup table(e.g., included in the engine control module 414) to generate a controlsignal for the engine 106 to continue to produce the amount ofmechanical energy required to maintain the desired water output.

The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown inthe various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations,etc.). By way of example, the position of elements may be reversed orotherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements orpositions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied orre-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions,modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design,operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodimentswithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and programproducts on memory or other machine-readable media for accomplishingvarious operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may beimplemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purposecomputer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this oranother purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scopeof the present disclosure include program products or memory comprisingmachine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executableinstructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readablemedia can be any available media that can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor.By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to carry or store desired program code in the form ofmachine-executable instructions or data structures and which can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or othermachine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also includedwithin the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executableinstructions include, by way of example, instructions and data whichcause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or specialpurpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group offunctions.

Although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, theorder of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or moresteps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Suchvariation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and ondesigner choice. All such variations are within the scope of thedisclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule based logic and otherlogic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,comparison steps and decision steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A response vehicle, comprising: an engine; atransmission coupled to the engine; a pumping system operatively engagedwith the transmission and thereby configured to at least selectivelyreceive mechanical energy generated by the engine via the transmission,the pumping system having an input configured to interface with a watersource and receive an inlet flow of water; a central controllercommunicably coupled to the engine, the transmission, and the pumpingsystem, the central controller configured to: receive an indicationregarding the pressure of the water at the input of the pumping system;and transmit a control signal to the transmission to change an effectivegear ratio of the transmission based on the indication regarding thepressure of the water at the input of the pumping system.
 2. Theresponse vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a user interface coupledto the central controller, the user interface configured to receive aninput from an operator of the response vehicle, wherein the indicationregarding the pressure of the water at the input is receivable via theuser interface.
 3. The response vehicle of claim 1, wherein the centralcontroller further includes (a) a location sensor configured tofacilitate detecting the location of the response vehicle and (b) alocation module configured to store (i) a plurality of predeterminedlocations of various water sources configured to provide water at apositive pressure and (ii) a plurality of associated water sourcepressures, wherein the central controller is configured to determinewhether the location of the response vehicle is within a predeterminedthreshold distance of one of the water sources configured to providewater at a positive pressure, wherein the central controller isconfigured to transmit the control signal to the transmission inresponse to determining that the response vehicle is within apredetermined threshold distance of one of the water sources configuredto provide water at a positive pressure.
 4. The response vehicle ofclaim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to measure the pressureof the water at the input of the pumping system.
 5. The response vehicleof claim 1, wherein the central controller is further configured todetermine, based on the indication, whether the pressure of the water atthe input of the pumping system is above a predetermined threshold,wherein the central controller is configured to transmit the controlsignal in response to determining that the pressure of the water at theinput of the pumping system is above a predetermined threshold.
 6. Theresponse vehicle of claim 5, a power take off configured to selectivelycouple the transmission to the pumping system, wherein the centralcontroller is configured to engage the power take off when configured ina pumping mode of operation.
 7. The response vehicle of claim 6, whereinthe pumping system receives mechanical energy from the engine only whenthe central controller is configured in the pumping mode of operation.8. The response vehicle of claim 7, wherein the central controller isfurther configured to: receive an input to place the central controllerinto the pumping mode of operation, the central controller configured tooperate the transmission in a first gear ratio in response to anindication that the pressure of the water at the input of the pumpingsystem is not positive and a second gear ratio in response to anindication that the pressure of the water at the input of the pumpingsystem is positive; at least one of verify that the transmission isplaced in a neutral position and provide a command to engage thetransmission into the neutral position; engage the power take off toprovide mechanical energy to the pumping system; and transmit thecontrol signal to the transmission such that the transmission operatesat the second gear ratio.
 9. The response vehicle of claim 8, whereintransmission is in a lower gear in the second gear ratio than when inthe first gear ratio.
 10. The response vehicle of claim 8, furthercomprising a fluid output system configured to emit fluid from the watersource towards a target, wherein the central controller is furtherconfigured to: receive an input to emit water at an identified pressuretowards the target; identify an operational rate for the engine based onthe received input; and transmit a second control signal to the engineto cause the engine to operate at the operational rate, such that wateris emitted from the fluid output system at the identified pressure. 11.A central control system for a response vehicle, the central controlsystem comprising: an input interface configured to receive a firstsignal relating to a pressure at a fluid intake; an output interfacecoupled to a transmission of the response vehicle, the transmissionconfigured to selectively provide mechanical energy to a mechanicalpumping system of the response vehicle; and a processing circuitcomprising a processor and a memory, the memory including a transmissioncontrol module that is executable by the processor to cause theprocessor to generate a first control signal that is transmitted to thetransmission via the output interface in response to the processordetermining that the first signal received at the input indicates apositive intake pressure, wherein the first control signal changes aneffective gear ratio of the transmission based on the pressure at thefluid intake.
 12. The central control system of claim 11, furthercomprising: a second input interface configured to receive a secondsignal relating to a pressure at a fluid output system of the responsevehicle; a second output interface coupled to an engine of the responsevehicle, the engine configured to provide mechanical energy to thetransmission, wherein the memory further includes an engine controlmodule that is executable by the processor to cause the processor togenerate a second control signal that is transmitted to the engine viathe second output interface in response to the processor determiningthat the pressure at the fluid output system differs from a targetoutput pressure.
 13. The central control system of claim 12, furthercomprising a communications interface configured to establish a secureconnection with a user device and receive various inputs from the userdevice via the secure connection.
 14. The central control system ofclaim 13, further comprising: a third input interface configured toreceive a third signal relating to an operational rate of the engine; afourth input interface configured to receive a fourth signal relating toan output pressure of the mechanical pumping system, wherein the memoryfurther includes a diagnostics module that is executable by theprocessor to cause the processor to store the third signal and thefourth signal in the memory, the diagnostics module further causing theprocessor to generate a pump performance score by comparing historicalvalues of the third signal to historical values of the fourth signal.15. The central control system of claim 14, wherein the diagnosticsmodule further configures the processor to generate a pump performancealert in response to the relationship between the historical values ofthe third signal and the fourth signal varying from a predeterminedrelationship.
 16. A method for controlling a pumping system of aresponse vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, by a central controlsystem of the response vehicle, a first input regarding an inputpressure to the pumping system from a fluid source; determining, by thecentral control system, that the first input indicates a positive inputpressure from the fluid source; and transmitting, by the central controlsystem, a control signal to a transmission of the response vehicle tochange an effective gear ratio of the transmission based on the inputpressure to the pumping system.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: receiving, by the central control system, a second inputregarding an operational speed of an engine of the response vehicle, thesecond input being received after the first input; receiving, by thecentral control system, a third input regarding an output pressure offluid from the pumping system; transmitting, by the central controlsystem, a second control signal to the engine so as to maintain theoutput pressure at a level indicated by the third input.
 18. The methodof claim 16, wherein the first input is received via a display coupledto the central control system.
 19. The method of claim 16, the methodfurther comprising: retrieving fluid source location data from adatabase, the fluid source location data mapping various fluid inputpressures with various locations; and determining, by the centralcontrol system, that the location of the response vehicle is within apredetermined distance threshold of one of the mapped fluid inputpressures.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first input includesa sensor signal captured by a sensor associated with a fluid intakesystem of the response vehicle.